After a four-year break

Why Linz could celebrate New Year’s Eve again

Twice a year, during the Urfahranermarkt, the night sky in Linz lights up thanks to fireworks - and if Mario Hofer has his way, this will happen again on New Year's Eve.(Bild: Dostal Harald)

New Year's Eve parties have always been a big deal elsewhere, but not in Linz. Former head of the city Klaus Luger always took the view that the city was not responsible for any celebrations and that private commitment was needed to make them happen. But this year things could suddenly turn out quite differently.

Celebrating the turn of the year together, the public space as a party mile - not here: in Linz there have been no celebrations on the main square four times in a row recently.